Call up Party C.

With several hours left of walking to do, you withdraw your FONE and look to the list of names. You then press your finger down upon the inscribed, "Lynx," and project your intentions into the magical slab. The connection is made. Though you can't hear anything yet, you know the other side is buzzing. It doesn't take long, however, for a voice to finally respond.

"Kyle?" answers Lynx. "Is everything all right?"

"Yeah. Just checking in," you reply.

"That's really thoughtful. What a brilliant invention! So much more convenient than a Sending Stone, and the sound is a lot clearer. It's nice to hear your voice, Kyle."

"There's nothing to report on our end yet. We should get there before nightfall."

"Same here. It oughta be a few more hours before we get to the temple. Vex said it's an old one rarely still visited. It's dedicated to a mighty elemental spirit who once protected the region from demons, but has been dormant for many years. I guess it was a good place to store a magic key, but our mystery foes still managed to--Huh?"

"What is it?" Though just as you finish your words, you hear a distant scream.

"Hold that thought. I'll keep you in my pocket."

You can't tell what's going on. Your party is clearly running, likely towards something and not away, though you didn't recognize the noise of distress as one of your own. Perhaps there are others out there roaming the desert dunes. You consider whether or not you should have left your Arcane Eye with them, though it wouldn't have done a lot, nor would you have been able to do the same for both other parties.

Your group halts as they notice your concern.

"Is something the matter?" asks Amara.

"Not sure yet," you say. "Something is going down. I wish I could see somehow."

You shut your eyes and focus your senses in hopes of hearing something of use, though you're limited by the power of the FONE and what audio it's actually able to pick up. Still, you try. You begin to hear other voices, followed by explosive noises almost like the crashing of waves. The voices you hear sound distressed.

That grunt. It was Dajy, swinging a claw at something or somebody. And then that sound there, it was Lynx throwing a blade. Ariusia is like Niki. She's far from quiet when fighting. Bek is the same, and by the energy of the shout I just heard, he found an opponent. Lady Vex has leapt into battle too. Her growls are unmistakable. Lalarin. Yeah, that was her just now. Wait. She's speaking in her Rabbit's Foot voice, and I don't think it's just for fun. She's saving some people, as a hero does.

I want them to be okay. Could I Bunny Hop there? Would I land anywhere close?

You gasp. Was that pain you felt? You're not sure. Still with your eyes shut and your mind focused, you touch the side of your body. Nothing hurts, but you swear for a moment, you were aware of an ally's injury. Ariusia. She was reckless and was struck in the side, but she's fine now. You think so anyway. Maybe it was just psychosomatic.

The bond between you and your allies is strong. You've been told it's your specialty--what puts you above any other Demon King, or sovereign in general. The unseen strings that bind you with those you love could be more powerful than all others across Absoterra. With the FONE gripped firmly in your hand, you instinctually shout. You aren't sure why at first, but you understand moments after.

"Look out behind you!"